Neither Western Kentucky’s Brodric Martin nor Kennesaw State’s Travis Bell got invited to last year’s NFL Scouting Combine. But both defensive tackles got picked in the 2023 NFL Draft.

They were among the 24 prospects chosen in last year’s draft who had played at Alabama high schools and colleges. The Detroit Lions turned heads with their third-round selection of Martin, who played at Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa and North Alabama before reaching the Hilltoppers. After prepping at Jeff Davis (now J.A.G.) in Montgomery, Bell became Kennesaw State’s first draft pick when the Chicago Bears took him in the seventh round.

Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks was the No. 124 prospect for last year’s NFL Draft, according to Pro Football Focus. Two hundred fifty-nine players were chosen in last year’s draft. Ricks wasn’t one of them.

So expect surprises as the NFL gathers in Detroit for its 89th draft this week.

For prospects with Alabama football roots, the consensus indicates four or five could be first-round selections on Thursday night – Alabama cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, offensive tackle J.C. Latham and edge rusher Dallas Turner and Oregon-by-way-of-Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. If McKinstry and Nix go, Pinson Valley High School would be represented by alumni twice in the first round.

After the 32 picks on Thursday night, 68 more players will be drafted in the second and third rounds on Friday night. Prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges projected as second-day picks include:

· Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (Spanish Fort)

· UCF wide receiver Javon Baker (Alabama)

· Alabama edge Chris Braswell

· Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton

· Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson (Alabama)

· Auburn cornerback DJ James (Spanish Fort)

· Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter (American Christian)

· Troy linebacker Javon Solomon

Any of those players not picked on Friday seem likely to go on Saturday, when the fourth through seventh rounds will complete the 2024 draft with 157 more selections. Other prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges getting draft buzz include:

· South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley

· Miami (Fla.) guard Javion Cohen (Central-Phenix City, Alabama)

· Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe

· UCF offensive tackle Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State)

· Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris (Park Crossing)

· Samford quarterback Michael Hiers (Briarwood Christian)

· Troy linebacker Richard Jibunor (Auburn)

· Ole Miss defensive end Cedric Johnson (Davidson)

· Alabama safety Jaylen Key (UAB)

· Alabama linebacker Trezman Marshall

· Alabama running back Jase McClellan

· UAB wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer

· Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (Jackson)

· Alabama kicker Will Reichard (Hoover)

· Texas running back Keilan Robinson (Alabama)

· Auburn defensive tackle Justin Rogers

· Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson

· Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (Thompson, Alabama)

· Arizona State cornerback Ro Torrence (Bessemer City, Auburn)

· Troy running back Kimani Vidal

· Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (Maplesville)

The NFL Draft will be televised by ABC, NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

The first round starts at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday. The second round kicks off Friday’s picks at 6 p.m. The final day of selections starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.